COVID-19 Perception Regarding Preventive Behaviour Among Undergraduate Students at Chreso University in Lusaka, Zambia

This study sought to explore risk perception, health seeking behaviours and adherence to preventive behaviours towards COVID-19 infection among undergraduate students at CHRESO University in Lusaka, Zambia. A total of 181 students aged between 18 and 45 years from all faculties at Chreso University whose COVID-19 status was not known were selected via simple random sampling technique to participate in this study. Data was collected from the respondents using a structured interview questionnaire with closed ended questions. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20) and was presented by Tables. The correlations between predictors and end results variables were categorized by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The study uncovered that, most of the respondents (76%) had an adequate level of knowledge on COVID-19 as most of them knew that the causative organism of COVID-19 was not bacteria. Sex and age were found to have a statistically substantial relationship with the level of knowledge about COVID-19 infection preventive measures among students (p<0.05). The study also shows that the vast majority of the participants (32%) had moderate risk perception of COVID-19 infection while 37% of study participants had low risk perception due to lack of vaccination. Marriage was found to have a strong statistical association with the level of risk perception of COVID-19 infection among students (P < 0.05). The majority of the participants also had poor adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures because many of them were able to put on their masks (45%) and use hand sanitizer (37%) only when advised to do so. The results also show that the participants had poor health seeking behaviors in that 59% of the respondents had never accessed COVID-19 screening facilities while 52% did not even know if at all there was a cost associated with testing. Religion and marital status were found to have a significant statistical relationship with the level of adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures among students (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, it is strongly recommended that university Students should be sensitized on COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures and encouraged to regularly engage in health-seeking behaviours. The university authority through the Ministry of Health should develop risk communication policies aimed at helping students understand the gravity of COVID-19 infection and the potential repercussions of not adhering to preventive measures.